Keystone Camp, the oldest private summer camp in the Southeast, offers a strong horseback riding program. Girls ride six days a week while at camp. / Special to WNC Parent

Written by

Betty Lynne Leary, WNC Parent contributor

Nothing says summer like spending a week at camp making new friends, being outdoors and trying new activities. And while it’s difficult to think about swimming, archery and canoeing when frost is still sparkling outside the window, March is the time when summer camp registries start filling up.

Horseback riding is one of summer camp’s most popular activities and is often the first place a kid gets the chance to develop a working relationship with such a large animal. Many camps offer horseback riding as one of dozens of activities while others offer riding exclusively. Here’s a look at some of both.

Hickory Nut Gap Farm

In Fairview, sisters Annie Ager and Susie Hamilton host a day camp program for boys and girls ages 6-13 at Hickory Nut Gap Farm. The camp focuses on horseback riding but also offers activities like swimming, art, pottery, and drama.

“We give instruction in English riding, and the kids ride in the ring and on the trail every day,” Ager says. “It’s definitely a confidence builder for kids being around such a big animal.”

The camp runs for five weeks throughout June and July, and each week is limited to about 40 campers. For this summer’s camp dates, visit www.hickorynutgapfarm.com .

Gwynn Valley

Over in Brevard, nestled on 320 acres, is Gwynn Valley, a coed camp that was created in 1935 by Mary Gwynn, who wanted a camp where children could thrive in a noncompetitive atmosphere.

The Gwynn Valley horseback riding program accommodates beginners to intermediates in hunt seat instruction. For more experienced riders, advanced trail rides are offered. Ring instruction and lessons in horse care are offered during the morning, then children may choose to go on a trail ride in the afternoon.

“We cater our program to each camper’s ability,” explains camp director Anne Bullard. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for a child to gain a relationship with a horse. Because kids often have a fear of horses because of their size, we help them overcome the fear and focus on building that relationship which in turn creates confidence.”

Keystone Camp

Also located in Brevard is Keystone Camp, the oldest private summer camp in the Southeast. A long-standing, family run organization, the current director, Paige Lemel, is the fourth-generation director of the camp that was begun by her great-great-aunt in 1916.

The horseback riding program at Keystone is offered every session, and there is no extra charge to add riding to a camper’s activities. A full-time barn staff includes a barn director, four full-time instructors and two barn managers.

“We all share a common opinion that when a girl takes horseback riding and horsemanship classes at camp, it teaches her valuable lessons about self-motivation, organized thinking and emotional control,” says Jessica Page, director of horseback riding. Girls ride six days a week and work their way through a system of levels with a different set of skills for each level. Once they pass through all four levels, additional challenges are offered based on their personal goals of riding.

“There is an old saying — the outside of a horse is good for the inside of a girl,” Page says. “Some girls come in timid and scared, but by the end of a session, it is usually those same girls begging to have an extra activity period at the barn.”

Rockbrook Camp for Girls

At Rockbrook Camp for Girls, the focus is not on competition but learning just for fun. At this Brevard camp, girls ride and care for horses for the sheer joy of it.

“We’ve found that being exposed to horses is especially important for young girls because it provides such a powerful boost to their confidence, trust, and emotional well-being,” says Jeff Carter, owner and director at Rockbrook. “There’s something special about the bond between a horse and a girl, and the joy the girls feel when their horses accept them.”

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The staff at Rockbrook is well-trained, experienced at teaching different levels, and dedicated to helping campers have a great time.

“We spend a good amount of time matching campers and horses,” Carter says, “hoping to find the right personalities, abilities and experience levels.” Girls learn that dedicated practice and persistence builds their knowledge and skills, making riding even more enjoyable. Learn more about Rockbrook at

Camp Merri-Mac

Camp Merri-Mac, a Christian camp for girls, is one of about 60 traditional camps in Western North Carolina. Horseback riding is offered in every session at Merri-Mac, and as barn director Adam Boyd explains, “We want the quality of instruction in each activity to be as strong as a specialty camp, and this is especially true in riding.”

Each girl gets to ride three days a week for more than an hour each day.

“We are a skills-based program and we want our girls to see growth,” adds Boyd. “We have a remarkable group of instructors, although the quality of the horses is just as important.” Riding requires athleticism, subtlety, communication and intuition. When these things come together, a partnership forms between rider and horse.

“This relationship is what our campers most enjoy,” Boyd says, “but it is the girl’s place in that partnership, as a leader, not a follower, that fosters growth outside the ring.”

Biltmore Equestrian Center

For two area camps, it’s all horses, all the time. At the Biltmore Equestrian Center, riders as young as 5 are welcome for a mini-camp while weeklong camps are held for ages 8 and up. All camps run from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and focus on natural horsemanship skills, both on the ground and in the saddle.

Elizabeth Bush, assistant manager of the program, says campers learn to walk, trot and canter their horse, and instruction may also include jumping depending on the individual skill level of each camper. For specific dates and more information, visit www.biltmore.com/visit/equestrian/events.asp.

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Whole Horse Journeys

Catherine Hunter, head instructor at Whole Horse Journeys just north of Asheville, draws on more than 50 years of experience with horses including 38 years of teaching, training and riding as a professional.

“Our camp sessions, which are offered to ages 7 through 16, are limited to a total of six participants in order to provide individual instruction,” Hunter says. “Each child receives a total of six hours of riding instruction, six hours of riding theory, and four hours handling horses.”

Campers are immersed in an integrative experience that includes building core strength, balance and coordination, patience, teamwork and, of course, fun.

“We combine positive reenforcement with fun, interactive games that help campers gain a deeper understanding of riding theory and equine behavior,” Hunter says. “Through this deep connection, horses and riders become empowered as equal partners, making riding safer and more fun for both.”